Burner pilot control means



Dec. 1, 1964 E. J. WEBER 3,159,202

BURNER PILOT CONTROL MEANS.

Filed Jan. 29, 1962 FIGI.

* "3 Illllllllll-l-lllllllllllll INVENTORI EARL J. WEBER ATTY 5.

United States Patent This invention relates to burner pilot control means, as for the top burners of a cooking range and the like wherein usual installations the pilot burner is disposed near the main burner and subject to fouling by spillover with consequent corrosion and which is readily misaligned; and has for an object the provision of improvements in this art.

The present burner and pilot system, herein to be described, is of the type which is known as the Rutz lighter system in which the pilot burner is located at a distance from the main burner and throws a flash flame to the main burner when the gas is turned on. With this arigangement the pilot burner can be located in a protected position where it is not in the path of spillover material and hence is not so subject to fouling and corrosion as it would be if located too near the main burner.

Many pilot systems of this type keep the pilot flame at full size throughout the whole time the main burner is lighted. The present invention has for an object the provision of means for causing the pilot fiame to flash out when the main burner valve is turned on and then to recede until the next time the burner is turned on.

According to the present invention a pilot burner is provided with a basic or primary restricted low-pilot flow of gas regulated by an adjusting valve and is also provided with a secondary high-pilot supply of gas when the main burner valve is turned on whereby the pilot flame is made to flare or flash out at the time of ignition and then to recede. Preferably a differential control valve is interposed in the supply line to the pilot burner, this differential valve being operated consequent to. the operation of the main burner supply valve to supply additional gas to the pilot burner for a short time and then to shut off the additional supply. Herein, specifically, the ditferential valve is operated in accordance with a drop in pressure when the main valve is turned on but under the same principle it could be operated by an increase in pressure.

The above and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment, reference being made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a piping diagram of the new system;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical section through the differential valve mechanism shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged transverse section taken on the line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged transverse section taken on the line 4--4 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a detail axial section taken on the line 5-5 of FIGS. 3 and 4., p

A main burner B, which may be assumed to be in the region of spilling material on a cooking range, has disposednear it a pilot burner P. The pilot burner is of the flash flame type and may be located beneath protecting covering around the main burner yet be able to project a flash flame to such a distance that the gas at the main burner will be ignited.

The main burner is supplied with gas from a main supply pipe by a main valve 11 having a nozzle-12 projecting through an air mixer inlet 13 into the main burner pipe 14. a

A sustaining or low-pilot gas flow pipe line 16, 16a

. with a low-pilot regulating valve 17 connects the pilot 3,159,202 Patented Dec. 1, 1964 ice burner P with the main supply pipe or source 10.

The sections 16, 16a of the sustaining flow pipe line are here joined through a chamber 19A of tank 19 forming part of the means associated with a differential control valve 20 operated by a diaphragm 21 in the tank between the upper chamber 19A and a lower chamber 19B.

From the above description it is seen that the low-pilot supply line includes the pipe sections 16 and 16a and the upper space 19A in the tank 19. Specifically, the line also includes a manifold chamber 16.1 on the supply side of the tank and a manifold chamber 16a.1 on the outlet side. A passage 16.2 extends from the manifold 16.1 into the chamber 19A and a passage 16a.2 extends from the manifold 1611.1 into the chamber 19A. The low-pilot valve 1'7 is located in the passage 1661.2.

Means are provided for supplying the pilot burner P with high-pilot or a flash supply of gas when the main valve 11 is operated to supply gas to the main burner. As here shown, the high-pilot supply means includes a shunt or bypass pipe line 23 extending from the diaphragm valve 2t? to a passage 23.1 leading to the pilot outlet manifold 16ml. Specifically, the downturned end 23a of the pipe 23 comprises a part of. the valve 20, the other part being formed of a closure plate 21a secured to the diaphragm 21. It will be seen that when the diaphragm 21 moves downward it uncovers the open end 23a of the by-pass pipe 23 and allows gas from the upper chamber 19A (where full pressure is always maintained) to flow into the outlet manifold andofftake pipe 16a leading to the pilot burner P. A high-pilot control valve 25 in the passage 23.1 between the pipe 23 and the manifold 1651.1 controls the flow of high-pilot gas to the pilot burner. The weight of the diaphragm 21 is balanced by a spring 26 therebelow, a slight upward bias being imposed to normally keep the valve 20 closed. I

Valve 20 is operated by differential pressure, as between the gas in the tank chambers 19A and 19B and hence may be designated as a differential valve.

There are sevenal different arrangements by which the diiferential valve 20 for the high-pilot supply can be op-' erated, the one here shown operating in accordance with a drop in pressure in the lower chamber 19B when the main valve 11 is operated to supply gas to the main burner.

Lower chamber 198 is normally kept under pressure equal to that of upper chamber 19A by the flow of gas thereinto from the intake manifold 16.1 by Way of a restricted inlet nipple pipe 28, preferably a control 28a, such as a needle valve, being provided for regulating the flow of gas through the pipe 28. The adjustment of the flow in pipe 23 at the valve thus provided will have an influence on the time that the valve 26 remains open after 7 the diaphragm moves down to open it.

Means are provided for relieving the pressure in lower chamber 19B when the main valve is turned on. The arrangement here shown comprises a relief pipe line 29 connected with the lower chamber 1913 at a distance from the nipple pipe 28 and connected to a port or passage 1111 of the casing of valve 11. A valve plug 11a is turnable in the bore of the casing of valve 11 and the plug is provided with an internal axial channel or duct 11b extending from a point opposite a main supply port of the casing to the end of the plug to supply gas through the nozzle 12. A radial channel 11d connects the end of axial channel 11b-to an external circumferentially elongated channel or recess 11e adapted to pass over the main supply port of the casing, the channel 112 being graduated in size to regulate the size of the flame.

An external passage or recess 11g in the plug is located in a position to pass over the port 11h and the pasburner.

shown, are provided for insuring that the valve plug 11a sage Hg is connected with the axial passage 11b by a radial passage 111'.

The recess Hg is of limited circumferential length and is located in advance of the circumferential passage 116 so that the recess 11g is opened and closed before the passage or recess He is opened to supply gas to the main In a preferred mode of operation, means, not

cannot be turned backward (opposite to the direction of the arrow 22%, clockwise here) beyond the end of the recess lie so that the recess 11g cannot be turned back over the port 11h to supply high-pilot gas to the pilot when it is not needed. The valve plug 11a is turned by a hand knob or handle 11 However, the valve may be of the more conventional type which turns back and forth between fixed stops, in which case the pilot light will flash when the valve is turned off as well as when it is turned on.. This has no practical disadvantages since no harm can be done and the small amount of gas so used is negligible.

It will be obvious that the inclusion of the tank chamber 19A in the low-pilot gas line is a matter of economy and that the low-pilot pipe line could be run straight through with its regulating valve installed therein and that separate pipes could be run from the tank to the source, like 16 here, or from the tank to the pilot burner, like 16a here, or both. Therefore, the high-pilot gas line will be understood to include these pipes, which are in common with thelow-pilot pipe line.

In operation a low-pilot flame is maintained at the Gas flows by way of the lowthe valve, which leads to the opening of nozzle 12. This allows gas to flow out of thelower chamber 19B into the pipe 14 of the main burner. The flow into the lower chamber from the nipple pipe 28 is restricted so that the pressure in the lower chamber drops below the pressure in the upper chamber and the diaphragm 21 is forced down allowing the valve 29 to open to supply gas from the chamber 19A into the high-pilot by-pass pipe 23 and from it and intervening passages 23.1 and Mai to the pipe 16a of the pilot burner.

After the recess 11g passes the casing port 11h the relief pipe 29 is closed and the nipple pipe 28 brings more gas into the lower chamber 1913 until the pressure is restored to equal that in the upper chamber 19A, whereupon the valve 20 closes. V

The main burner will have been lighted by the flash flame maintained at the pilot burner until gas is supplied to the mainburner by the registry of passage 11:: with the casing port Me.

It is thus seen that theinvention provides a simple, dependable and economical system for controlling a flash pilot burner in coordination with the operation of the' valve or" the main burner.

While one embodiment of' the invention has been de- -to said main burner, a flash type pilot burner operatively associated with said main burner to light it when gas supply line from said source to said pilot burner, means for supplyinga constant restricted low-pilot supply of gas through'said pilot gas supply line to said pilot Cit burner, and supplemental means for supplying a temporary increased high-pilot supply of gas to said pilot burner when said main valve is operated, said supplemental gas supply means including a high-pilot gas supply line, a fluid pressure diflerential valve operated by an element responsive to opposing bodies of pressure fluid for controlling the flowiof gas in said high-pilot gas supply line, and control means for controlling the action of said differential valve by the action of said main burner valve, said control means including a pressure control line between one of the bodies of fluid'and said main burner valve for operating the diiferential valve'to supply gas to said high-pilot gas supply line when said main burner valve is operated. r

2. Burner pilot control means, comprising in combination: a main burner, a main gas supply source, a main gas line from said source to said main burner, a main burner valve included in said main gas line for controlling the flow of gas-through said main gas line to said main burner, a flash type pilot burner operatively associated with said main burner to light it when the main valve is moved to supply gas thereto, a pilot gas supply line'from said source to said pilot burner, means for supplying a constant restricted low-pilot supply of gas through said pilot gas supply line to said pilot burner, and supplemental means for supplying a temporary increased high-pilot supply of gas to said pilot burner when said main valve is operated, said supplemental gas supply means including a high-pilot gas supply line, a fluid pressure differential valve operated by an element responsive to opposing bodies of pressure fluid for controlling the flow of gas in said high-pilot gas supply'line, and control means for controlling the action of said dififerential valve by the action of said main burner valve, said control means including a pressure control line between one of the bodies of fluid and said main burner valve for operating the diiferential valve to supply gas to said high-pilot gas supply line when said main burner valve is operated, said pressure control line being connected and arranged to reduce the pressure on one side of said pressure responsive element when said main burner valve is operated.

3. Burner pilot control means, comprising in combination: a main burner, a main gas supply source, a main gas line from said source to said main burner, a main burner valve includedin said main gas line for controlling the flow of gas through said main gas line to said main burner, a flash type pilot burner operatively associated with said main burner to light it when the main valve is moved to supply gas thereto, a pilot gas supply line from said source to siaid pilot burner, means for supplying a constant restricted low-pilot supply of gas through said pilotgas supply line to said pilot "burner, and-supplemental means for supplying a temporary increased high pilot supply of gas tosaid pilot burner when said main valve is operated, said supplemental gas supply means including a high-pilot gas supply line, a fluid pressure dif- Y the main valve is moved to supply gas thereto, a pilot ferential valve operated by an element responsive to opposing bodies of pressure fluid for controlling the flow of gas in said high-pilot gas supply line, and control means for controlling the action 7 of said differential valve by the action of said main burner valve, said control means including a pressure control line between one of the bodiesof fluid and said main burner valve for operating the difiierential valve to supply gas to said high-pilot gas supply line when said main burner valve is operated, said control rneansincluding a tank having first and second fluid chambers with said pressure responsive element constituted as a diaphragm between said chambers, means for maintaining a relatively constant pressure in the first chamber, said pressure control line being connected between said second fluid chamber and said main burner valve for varying the pressure insaid second chamber when said main burner valve isoperatedn" 4 Burner pilot control means, comprising in combination: a main burner, a niain gas. supply source, a main gas line from said source to said main burner, a main burner valve included in said main gas line for controlling the flow of gas through said main gas line to said main burner, a fiash type pilot burner operatively associated with said main burner to light it when the main valve is moved to supply gas thereto, a pilot gas supply line from said source to said pilot burner, means for supplying a constant restricted low-pilot supply of gas through said pilot gas supply line to said pilot burner, and supplemental means for supplying a temporary increased high-pilot supply of gas to said pilot burner when said main valve is operated, said supplemental gas supply means including a high-pilot gas supply line, a fluid pressure differential valve operated by an element responsive to opposing bodies of pressure fluid for controlling the flow of gas in said high-pilot gas supply line, and control means for controlling the action of said ,difierentiail therefrom to said pilot burner, and said differential valve controlling the inlet end of said high-pilot gas supply line in response to movement of said diaphragm.

6. Burner pilot control means, comprising in combination: a main burner, a main gas supply source, a main gas line from said source to said main burner, a main burner valve included in said main gas line for controlling the flow of gas through said main gas line to said main valve by the action of said main burner valve, said control means including a pressure control line between one of the bodies of fluid and said main burner valve for Operating the difierential valve to supply gas to said highpilot gas supply line when said main burner valve is operated, said control means including a tank having first chamber, said pressure control line being connected be tween said second fluid chamber and said main burner valve for varying the pressure in said second chamber when said main burner valve is operated.

5. Burner pilot control means, comprising in combination: a main burner, a main gas supply source, a main gas line from said source to said main burner, a main burner valve included in said main gas line for controlling the flow of gas through said main gas line to said main burner, a flash type pilot burner operatively associated with said main burner to light it when'the main valve is moved to supply gas thereto, a pilot gas supply line from s said source to said pilot burner, means for supplying a constant restricted low-pilot supply of gas through said pilot gas supply line to said pilot burner, and supplemental means for supplying a temporary increased highpilot supply of gas to said pilot burner when said main valve is operated, said supplemental gas supply means including a high-pilot gas supply line, a fluid pressure differential valve operated by an element responsive to opposing bodies of pressure fluid for controlling a flow of gas in said high-pilot gas supply line, and control means for controlling the action of said differential valve by the action of said main burner valve, said control means including a pressure control line between one of the bodies of fluid and said main burner valve for operating the differential valve to supply gas to said high-pilot gas supply line when said main burner valve is operated, said control means including a tank having first and second fluid chambers with said pressure responsive element con-- stituted as a diaphragm between said chambers, means I for maintaining relatively constant source gas pressure burner, a flash type pilot burner operatively associated with said main burner to light it when the main valve is moved to supply gas thereto, a pilot gas supply line from said source to said pilot burner, said pilot gas line including a first gas chamber, a free flow feed line thereto and a restricted outflow line therefrom for supplying a constant restricted low-pilot flow of gas to said pilot burner while maintaining a relatively constant gas pressure in said first chamber, a second gas chamber adjacent said first gas chamber, a diaphragm disposed between said gas chambers, restricted adjustable fluid passage means between said chambers to normally maintain equal gas pressures therein, a supplemental high-pilot gas line arranged between the first chamber and said pilot burner to by-pass the low-pilot flow restriction in the outflow line, valve means for said high-pilot gas line operated by said diaphragm, and. a pressure relief gas outflow line between said second chamber and said main burner valve for feeding gas from the second chamber to the main burner when said main burner valve is moved toward open position.

7. Burner pilot control means, comprising in combination: a main burner, a main gas supply source, a main gas line from said source to said main burner, a main burner valve included in said main gas line for controlling the flow of gas through said main gas line to said main burner,

a first gas chamber, a free flow feed line thereto and a restricted outflow line therefrom for supplying a constant restricted low-pilot flow, of gas to said pilot burner while maintaining a relatively constant gas pressure in said first chamber, a second gas chamber adjacent said first gas chamber, a diaphragm disposed between said gas chambers, restricted adjustable fluid passage means between said chambers to normally maintain equal gas pressures therein, a supplemental high-pilot gas line arranged between the first chamber and said pilot burner to by-pass the low-pilot flow restriction in the outflow line, valve means for said high-pilot gas line operated by said diaphragm,'and a pressure relief gas outflow line between said second chamber and said main burner valve for feeding gas from the second chamber to the main burner when said main burner valve is moved toward open position, said main burner valve having port and passage means arranged to briefly open said relief gas line before gas is supplied to said main burner.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,858,505 5/32 Jacobi 1581 15 2,916,088 12/59 Beal et a1. 1581l5 FOREIGN PATENTS 396,534 8/33 Great Britain.

JAMES W. WESTHAVER, Primary Examiner. PERCY L. PATRICK, Examiner. 

1. BURNER PILOT CONTROL MEANS, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: A MAIN BURNER, A MAIN GAS SUPPLY SOURCE, A MAIN GAS LINE FROM SAID SOURCE TO SAID MAIN BURNER, A MAIN BURNER VALVE INCLUDED IN SAID MAIN GAS LINE FOR CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF GAS THROUGH SAID MAIN GAS LINE TO SAID MAIN BURNER, A FLASH TYPE PILOT BURNER OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID MAIN BURNER TO LIGHT IT WHEN THE MAIN VALVE IS MOVED TO SUPPLY GAS THERETO, A PILOT GAS SUPPLY LINE FROM SAID SOURCE TO SAID PILOT BURNER, MEANS FOR SUPPLYING A CONSTANT RESTRICTED LOW-PILOT SUPPLY OF GAS THROUGH SAID PILOT GAS SUPPLY LINE TO SAID PILOT BURNER, AND SUPPLEMENTAL MEANS FOR SUPPLYING A TEMPORARY INCREASED HIGH-PILOT SUPPLY OF GAS TO SAID PILOT BURNER WHEN SAID MAIN VALVE IS OPERATED, SAID SUPPLEMEN- 